Intermediate UX/UI Designer
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Intermediate UX/UI Designer
Company: Informed Solutions
Location: Altrincham, England, United Kingdom
Job Type: Full-time
Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design
Date Posted: April 13, 2026
Experience Level: 2-5 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Role Summary
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Lead and deliver user-centered design solutions for complex digital transformation projects, particularly within the public sector, aligning with Government Digital Service (GDS) principles.
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Drive the vision and best practices for the User-Centered Design (UCD) discipline internally and with clients, fostering a culture of collaboration and integrity.
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Collaborate effectively within multi-disciplinary teams, including user research, service design, content design, and interaction design, to ensure seamless, accessible, and scalable user experiences.
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Champion user needs and advocate for design excellence across all project phases, from discovery to live, while embedding user-centered practices with technical consultants and developers.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as an "Intermediate" UX/UI Designer, suggesting a need for demonstrated experience beyond entry-level, with a focus on contributing to design strategy, mentoring junior colleagues, and influencing internal UCD practices. The emphasis on public sector and GDS principles indicates a specific domain expertise requirement.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Design innovative, user-centered solutions for private and public sector projects, with a strong focus on keeping users at the core of the design process.
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Collaborate closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, including user researchers, service designers, content designers, and technical consultants, to deliver cohesive and impactful digital experiences.
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Act as a vocal advocate for user needs, effectively communicating and influencing decision-making with internal teams, clients, and other key stakeholders.
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Manage and execute design activities across the entire project lifecycle, from initial discovery and strategy through to development and post-launch, adapting methodologies as required.
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Partner effectively with technical consultants and developers to ensure user-centered design principles are integrated seamlessly, while also respecting and navigating technical constraints.
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Create accessible digital experiences, developing designs from low-fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity UI mockups, and contributing to the evolution and utilization of the company's design system.
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Develop reusable UI assets and common design patterns to promote consistency, efficiency, and scalability across digital products.
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Utilize prototyping tools such as Figma, InVision, and Sketch, and build rich, interactive prototypes using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Nunjucks (GDS prototyping toolkit).
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Mentor and coach early-career colleagues, actively contributing to the growth and development of the internal UCD community.
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Contribute to the continuous enhancement of Informed Solutions' UX capabilities by refining methodologies and driving improvements in design quality and process.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for end-to-end design ownership, from ideation to implementation, with a significant emphasis on collaboration, advocacy, and internal capability development. The mention of specific prototyping tools and the GDS toolkit highlights the technical requirements.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of UX/UI principles is paramount. Relevant degrees in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or related fields are beneficial but not strictly required if equivalent experience is demonstrated.
Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in UX and UI design, with a proven track record of delivering complex, user-centered digital solutions. Experience in a consultancy setting and within the public sector is highly desirable.
Required Skills:
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UX and Interaction Design Expertise: Proven ability to deliver complex, user-centered designs, with a strong preference for experience within the public sector and adherence to Government Digital Service (GDS) principles.
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End-to-End Delivery: Demonstrated capability to work across the full project lifecycle, from discovery and strategy through to live implementation, adapting design methods to suit each distinct stage.
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Leadership and Coaching: Strong leadership qualities and demonstrated experience in guiding and mentoring junior team members, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes best practices in User-Centered Design (UCD).
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Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration: Proven experience working effectively within cross-functional teams, including user researchers, service designers, content designers, and technical consultants.
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Technical Collaboration: Ability to establish and maintain close working relationships with software engineers and developers, ensuring design concepts are aligned with technical feasibility and constraints.
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User Advocacy: Skilled in effectively championing user needs and perspectives with clients, internal teams, and broader stakeholder groups.
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Accessible and Scalable Design: Solid understanding of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and experience in creating reusable UI components and design patterns that promote scalability and consistency.
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Prototyping and Tools Proficiency: Expertise in using industry-standard design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma, InVision, and Sketch. Ability to build interactive prototypes using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and the Nunjucks (GDS prototyping toolkit).
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Agile Methodologies: Practical experience working within Agile development environments, delivering iterative and user-centered solutions in a fast-paced setting.
Preferred Skills:
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Service Design: Experience applying service design principles to map and enhance end-to-end user journeys and service ecosystems.
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Consultancy Experience: Prior experience working within a technology-focused consultancy, engaging with diverse clients and adapting to client-specific environments.
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User Research: Experience in planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research sessions to inform design decisions.
📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for GDS principles is a critical indicator of the type of public sector work the company undertakes, emphasizing evidence-based design and user needs. Proficiency in specific tools like Figma and the GDS prototyping toolkit is non-negotiable.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Showcase a minimum of 2-3 significant projects that demonstrate end-to-end UX/UI design process, ideally including public sector or GDS-aligned projects.
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Clearly articulate your role and contributions within each project, highlighting your problem-solving approach and design decision-making rationale.
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Present evidence of user-centered design methodologies applied, including user research, persona development, user journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.
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Demonstrate proficiency in creating accessible and scalable UI designs, including the use of design systems or the creation of reusable components.
Process Documentation:
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For each portfolio project, provide a clear narrative detailing the design process undertaken, from initial problem definition and discovery to final implementation and iteration.
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Document how user feedback and research findings were integrated into the design iterations, demonstrating an adaptive and iterative design approach.
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Elaborate on how technical constraints were considered and managed in collaboration with development teams.
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Illustrate the application of accessibility standards throughout the design and development lifecycle.
📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their design process, explain their rationale, and demonstrate how they've applied user-centered principles and technical considerations. The emphasis on GDS principles suggests a need for examples that align with government accessibility and usability standards.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Intermediate UX/UI Designers in the UK, with specific considerations for hybrid roles and consultancy environments, the estimated salary range is approximately £40,000 - £55,000 per annum. This range is dependent on the candidate's specific experience, demonstrated skills, and alignment with the company's requirements, particularly regarding public sector and GDS experience.
Benefits:
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InformedACADEMY™: Comprehensive career development and personal growth programs, including support for professional certifications.
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Industry-leading Health & Wellbeing Plan: Includes 24/7 GP services, mental health support, and physical health resources.
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Hybrid Working: Flexible arrangement allowing for a balance between remote and in-office work.
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Private Health Care Cover: Provided for employees and potentially their dependents, subject to a qualifying period.
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Generous Life Assurance Cover: Financial protection for beneficiaries, subject to a qualifying period.
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Gym Membership: Contribution or access to fitness facilities.
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Monthly Office Lunch: Social and team-building opportunity.
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Onsite Massage Sessions: Wellness initiative to support employee well-being.
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Holiday Entitlement: 25 paid working days per year, in addition to bank holidays.
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Sabbatical Leave Scheme: Opportunity for extended leave after a certain tenure.
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Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave and Pay: Generous provisions for new parents.
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Company Pension Contribution: Employer contributions to a pension scheme.
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Profit Share Scheme: Potential to share in the company's financial success.
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Payment of Professional Subscriptions: Support for maintaining professional memberships.
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Generous Referral Scheme: Financial incentives for referring successful candidates.
Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week. The hybrid model offers flexibility in terms of location, but core working hours will likely be established to ensure effective team collaboration and client engagement.
📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on typical UK market rates for an intermediate-level UX/UI designer with the specified skills and experience. The comprehensive benefits package reflects a company that invests heavily in employee well-being and professional development, which is a strong selling point for experienced professionals.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Digital Transformation Consultancy, with a strong focus on #tech4good projects across Public Sector (Civil Defence, Healthcare, Digital Democracy), Sustainable Environment, and Land Asset Management. This sector focus implies a commitment to impactful, socially responsible technology solutions.
Company Size: Informed Solutions is a growing international digital transformation consultancy. While an exact employee count isn't provided, the mention of "international" and "growing" suggests a mid-to-large sized organization with established processes and a global reach, offering stability and diverse project opportunities.
Founded: Founded in 1992, Informed Solutions has a long history and significant experience in delivering digital transformation services, evidenced by multiple Queen's Award for Innovation wins. This longevity indicates a stable and experienced organization with a proven track record of innovation.
Team Structure:
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The UX/UI Designer will be part of a dynamic team of professional problem solvers, including creative thinkers and solutions builders.
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This role involves close collaboration within multi-disciplinary teams, which likely include user researchers, service designers, content designers, interaction designers, technical consultants, and developers.
Methodology:
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The company champions user-centered design (UCD) principles, particularly aligning with Government Digital Service (GDS) standards when working with the public sector.
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Agile methodologies are fundamental to their fast-paced, iterative approach to project delivery.
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Data analysis and insights are likely used to inform design decisions and measure impact, aligning with a data-driven approach to digital transformation.
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Workflow planning and optimization are key, with a focus on creating sustainable, scalable, and accessible design practices.
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Automation and efficiency are implicitly valued through the creation of reusable design systems and UI assets.
Company Website: https://www.informed.com/
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's commitment to "tech4good" and public sector projects, combined with its "Great Place to Work®" certification and multiple innovation awards, suggests a culture that values impact, excellence, collaboration, and employee well-being. This is a significant differentiator for potential candidates.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is classified as an "Intermediate" UX/UI Designer. This level typically signifies a professional who has moved beyond foundational skills and is capable of independently managing significant design tasks, contributing to design strategy, and beginning to mentor junior colleagues. They are expected to have a solid understanding of UCD principles, be proficient with key design tools, and be able to navigate complex project requirements, including those with public sector and GDS considerations.
Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, the role involves close collaboration with various multi-disciplinary teams. The UX/UI Designer will likely report to a Lead UX Designer, Head of Design, or a Digital Delivery Manager, with a dotted line to project leads. The emphasis on mentoring suggests a senior designer or team lead will be involved in their development.
Operations Impact: The UX/UI Designer's impact is critical in ensuring that digital solutions are user-friendly, accessible, and effective. By championing user needs and adhering to best practices, they directly influence the success of digital transformation projects, contributing to improved public services, enhanced user engagement, and the achievement of client objectives. Their role in setting the vision for UCD internally also impacts the overall quality and consistency of design output across the organization.
Growth Opportunities:
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Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like service design, user research, accessibility, or advanced prototyping techniques.
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Leadership Development: Potential to progress to Senior UX/UI Designer roles, leading design initiatives, mentoring larger teams, and taking on strategic design responsibilities. This includes opportunities to contribute to refining methodologies and driving quality improvements within Informed Solutions' UX capabilities.
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Specialization: Develop expertise in specific sectors like healthcare, civil defence, or digital democracy, becoming a go-to specialist within the company for those domains.
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Professional Certifications: Supported by InformedACADEMY™, candidates can pursue relevant industry certifications to enhance their credentials and skill sets.
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's explicit mention of tailored career paths and the "InformedACADEMY™" program highlights a strong commitment to employee growth. Candidates should look for opportunities to expand their skill set and take on more leadership responsibilities within the UCD discipline.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: The job is advertised as "Hybrid," indicating a blend of remote work and in-office presence. This suggests a modern work environment that values flexibility while recognizing the importance of in-person collaboration and team cohesion.
Office Location(s): The primary office location is Altrincham, England, United Kingdom. This location likely serves as a hub for client meetings, team workshops, and collaborative design sessions. The hybrid model means employees are expected to commute to this location periodically.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on multi-disciplinary teams and a "Great Place to Work®" culture suggests an environment that encourages open communication, idea sharing, and teamwork. Expect opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and knowledge exchange.
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Operations Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to industry-standard design and prototyping tools (Figma, InVision, Sketch) and development toolkits (GDS prototyping toolkit). The company likely provides robust IT infrastructure to support both remote and in-office work.
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Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for interaction with colleagues through team meetings, design critiques, workshops, and informal discussions, both virtually and in person.
Work Schedule: While the core working hours are 40 per week, the hybrid nature of the role allows for flexibility in how and where the work is performed. This structure is designed to accommodate individual needs while ensuring team alignment and project delivery.
📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement is a key feature. Candidates should clarify expectations regarding the frequency of office visits and the purpose of those visits (e.g., specific team days, client workshops). The Altrincham location is central to this hybrid model.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess suitability against the core requirements, with a focus on GDS principles, public sector experience, and tool proficiency.
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First Interview: Likely with a hiring manager or senior designer to discuss your experience, approach to UX/UI design, and understanding of user-centered methodologies. Expect questions about your portfolio projects and how you've handled specific design challenges.
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Design Challenge/Workshop: A practical exercise, potentially a take-home task or an in-person/virtual workshop, to assess your design skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you collaborate within a team environment. This may involve critiquing existing designs, proposing solutions to a given problem, or working on a specific design scenario.
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Final Interview: May involve meeting with a wider team, including potential cross-functional collaborators, to assess cultural fit, leadership potential, and strategic thinking. This stage often includes a more in-depth discussion about your career aspirations and how you align with Informed Solutions' values.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Structure and Narrative: Organize your portfolio logically, with clear project descriptions, defined roles, and a compelling narrative that walks through your design process and decision-making.
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Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your work. For each project, clearly state the problem, your approach, your specific contributions, the outcome, and lessons learned.
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Highlight GDS Principles: If you have public sector experience, explicitly call out how you applied GDS principles (e.g., user needs, simplicity, accessibility, iterative development).
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Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Showcase your ability to use key tools like Figma, InVision, and Sketch, and mention experience with HTML/CSS/JavaScript and the GDS prototyping toolkit where applicable.
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Focus on Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., improvements in user satisfaction, task completion rates, reduction in support queries).
Challenge Preparation:
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Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly research Informed Solutions, their work in the public sector, and GDS principles.
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Focus on Process: Demonstrate your design process, not just the final output. Explain your rationale for each step and decision.
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Accessibility and Scalability: Pay close attention to accessibility standards and how your designs can be scaled and reused.
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Collaboration: Be prepared to discuss how you would collaborate with developers and other team members.
📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their design philosophy, demonstrate a deep understanding of user-centered design, and clearly articulate their experience with GDS principles and relevant design tools. The interview process is likely to be thorough, assessing both technical skills and cultural fit.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Figma: Essential for collaborative design, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design. Expect to use it extensively for creating and maintaining design systems.
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InVision / Sketch: Proficiency in these alternative or complementary design and prototyping tools is also valued, indicating adaptability and broader tooling experience.
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GDS Prototyping Toolkit (Nunjucks): A specific requirement for building interactive prototypes that align with Government Digital Service standards. This indicates a need for front-end development understanding.
Analytics & Reporting:
CRM & Automation:
- Not directly applicable to this UX/UI design role, but an understanding of how design integrates with broader digital platforms and user journeys is important. Knowledge of how user interfaces interact with backend systems or CRM data would be a plus.
📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and the GDS prototyping toolkit (Nunjucks) is critical. This suggests a need for designers who can not only create visually appealing interfaces but also understand the front-end development aspects required for interactive prototypes within a specific government framework.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Innovation: The company actively seeks out and delivers innovative solutions, evidenced by its Queen's Award for Innovation wins. This means a willingness to explore new ideas and approaches in design.
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Excellence: A commitment to doing the best work, which translates to high-quality design outcomes, adherence to best practices, and a drive for continuous improvement in design processes and outputs.
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Integrity: Acting in good faith and with transparency in all dealings with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. This fosters trust and ethical design practices.
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Collaboration: A core value, reflected in the multi-disciplinary team structure and the emphasis on working supportively alongside others to solve complex problems.
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User-Centricity: Placing users at the heart of all design decisions, ensuring solutions are effective, accessible, and meet genuine needs.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with a diverse range of professionals, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills to bridge gaps between design, research, content, and development.
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Process Review & Feedback: A culture that likely encourages constructive feedback and iterative refinement of design processes and outputs. Openness to critique and a desire to continuously improve are valued.
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Knowledge Sharing: As part of a community of practice, there's an expectation of sharing knowledge, best practices, and learnings to elevate the collective UCD capabilities within Informed Solutions.
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values (Innovation, Excellence, Integrity) and its "Great Place to Work®" status suggest a positive, collaborative, and impact-driven work environment. Candidates who align with these values and thrive in a team-oriented setting will likely be a good fit.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: A common challenge in digital transformation projects, requiring creative problem-solving to deliver optimal user experiences within technical limitations, especially in complex public sector systems.
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Navigating Public Sector Requirements: Adapting to the specific needs, procurement processes, and regulatory environments of the public sector, including strict adherence to GDS principles and accessibility standards.
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Driving UCD Vision Internally: Championing user-centered design and its importance to stakeholders who may have different priorities or limited understanding of UCD methodologies.
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Mentoring and Coaching: Effectively guiding and developing early-career colleagues while managing personal design responsibilities.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in areas like advanced UCD methodologies, service design, user research techniques, and accessibility compliance.
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Industry Conferences and Certifications: Access to opportunities through InformedACADEMY™ to attend relevant industry events, workshops, and pursue professional certifications to stay at the forefront of UX/UI design.
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Mentorship and Leadership: Opportunities to be mentored by senior design leaders and to develop leadership skills by coaching junior team members and contributing to the strategic direction of the UCD discipline.
📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly for those looking to specialize in public sector digital transformation and GDS standards. The challenges presented are typical for impactful roles in this domain and offer substantial learning experiences.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe a complex user-centered design project you led, focusing on how you applied GDS principles and collaborated with technical teams." (Preparation: Have a detailed case study ready, highlighting your process, decision-making, and outcomes. Emphasize your understanding of GDS.)
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"How do you advocate for user needs when faced with conflicting stakeholder priorities or technical limitations?" (Preparation: Prepare examples showcasing your negotiation skills, ability to find creative solutions, and your methods for quantifying user value.)
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What excites you about Informed Solutions' mission and its work in the public sector and #tech4good initiatives?" (Preparation: Research the company's recent projects, values, and impact. Connect your own career aspirations to their mission.)
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"How do you approach mentoring junior designers, and what is your philosophy on building a strong UCD community?" (Preparation: Share your experiences in coaching, providing feedback, and fostering a collaborative learning environment.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: problem, your role, process, solution, and impact.
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Focus on "Why": Explain the rationale behind your design decisions, not just the final output.
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Showcase Process: Include wireframes, user flows, research insights, and iterations to demonstrate your design thinking.
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Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with developers, researchers, and stakeholders.
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Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about specific design choices, challenges, and outcomes.
📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate a deep understanding of user-centered design, GDS principles, and practical application of design tools. The interview process will likely assess not only technical skills but also the candidate's ability to collaborate, lead, and align with the company's mission and values.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Intermediate UX/UI Designer position:
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Submit your application through the provided Workable link.
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Customize your CV: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with user-centered design, public sector projects, GDS principles, and proficiency in Figma, InVision, Sketch, and front-end development for prototyping (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Nunjucks).
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Curate your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases end-to-end design processes for at least 2-3 relevant projects. Emphasize your role, design decisions, GDS alignment, accessibility considerations, and project outcomes. Be prepared to present and discuss your work in detail.
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Prepare for GDS Principles: Thoroughly review the Government Digital Service (GDS) design principles and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in past projects.
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Research Informed Solutions: Understand the company's mission, values, and the types of digital transformation projects they undertake, particularly in the public sector and #tech4good space.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have proven experience in UX and interaction design, ideally within the public sector using GDS principles. Strong leadership, coaching abilities, and proficiency in prototyping tools like Figma and HTML/CSS are essential.